CHAKDARA: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of Pakistan in its recent meeting approved three major development projects worth Rs. 339 billion. Among the projects approved is Dir Motorway, a much-needed connectivity project in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and a real tourism game-changer, which will definitely boost the regional tourism and trade activities throughout the region. Apparently, this is a 29.4 km long, four-lane highway, which begins and ends in the Lower Dir district of KP, but in a larger context, the project will bring development and prosperity to the region. “The Dir Motorway, starting from Chakdara,…
Author: holidayweekly
KARACHI: Despite tall claims, the Sindh culture, tourism, antiquities, and archives department failed to save Bhatia Bhawan, one of the oldest heritage sites in the metropolis. By the time outcry on the demolition, allegedly by the owner, prompted the department into action last October, only the building’s facade and peripheral structure had remained. This week, however, the historic structure was razed to the ground. In its stead, there was only rubble on Prarthana Samaj Road, in the Thattai compound opposite Dow Dental College. As many as 1,739 buildings have been declared heritage sites in Karachi. Bhatia Bhawan was one of…
LAHORE: Airblue has launched a new service from Ras Al Khaimah to Lahore as demand from the passengers surged after visa and travel restrictions were eased by the UAE authorities. The airline’s first flight from Lahore to Ras Al Khaimah landed on Sunday night and returned to the historical city early Monday, September 6. “We have planned flights twice a week on the Lahore-RAK-Lahore sector initially as passengers demand is picking up,” Sohail Sheikh, airblue’s country manager for the UAE, told media. Amer Alazaiza, head of the Commercial Department at Ras Al Khaimah Airport, welcomed the inaugural flight from Lahore…
NEW YORK: The 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that struck the United States represents a significant occasion for people to pay tribute to those who lost their lives that day. But even before the Saturday anniversary, large numbers of travelers have been taking the time through tours to learn about the people as well as the places affected by the events of that fateful day. Tours commemorating September 11 even outside New York City serve as major attractions for those from afar as well as big business. “In general, about 40 percent of our visitors have been international,”…
BANGKOK: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to reopen the whole country without quarantine by January next year, however that move hinges on high vaccination coverage in order to reach herd immunity. Tourism and sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying that Bangkok’s reopening in October has been pushed back to November, as most residents will not receive their second vaccine dose until the end of October. However, Phiphat said that the reopening of Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chon Buri (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on October 1.…
ISLAMABAD: German Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Bernhard Stephen Schlagheck called on Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary Fareena Mazhar here on Wednesday, September 8, in Islamabad. They discuss ed matters related to mutual interests and the promotion of trade and business activities between Pakistan and Germany in the meeting. The meeting also discussed the upcoming visit of German investors to Pakistan including the delegation of Lufthansa airline which is keen to resume its operations for Pakistan. Lufthansa is also a part of the delegation and is keen on starting operations in Pakistan, the German ambassador said while talking to the BOI…
LONDON: British Airways has launched BA Better World, its new sustainability programme. The airline said this marked a further commitment to put sustainability at the heart of its business, from reducing emissions and waste and positively contributing to the communities it serves, to creating a great place for people to work in order to build a resilient, responsible business. At an event at British Airways’ Heathrow engineering base on September 8 morning the airline unveiled a new look for one of its most fuel-efficient short-haul aircraft, an A320neo, which it has painted in its new BA Better World sustainability colours…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has removed the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Argentina from the entry banned country list as of 11 am today (September 8) through the country’s land, sea, and airports, a media report said. Citizens will be allowed to travel to the three referred countries, an official source in the Ministry of Interior was quoted as saying by Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The source stressed the importance of adhering to all the precautionary and preventive measures adopted. He explained that all procedures and measures are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom,…
DUBAI: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced updates to its Phuket Sandbox programme – which was pivotal to the Kingdom’s tourism recovery – with the ‘Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension’. Following approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Thailand, the programme provides fully vaccinated travellers from the Middle East with opportunities to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine. Launched on August 16, the programme reduces the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days for Mena travellers who received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Director of the TAT for Dubai and the…
KABUL: Ariana Afghan Airlines resumed some flights in Afghanistan between Kabul and three major provincial cities on Saturday, September 4, the carrier said, after a technical team from Qatar reopened the capital’s airport for aid and domestic services. Flights between Kabul and the western city of Herat, Mazar-i Sharif in northern Afghanistan, and Kandahar in the south have started, the airline said in a statement. “Ariana Afghan Airlines is proud to resume its domestic flights,” it said. Earlier, Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan said a technical team was able to reopen Kabul airport to receive aid, according to Qatar’s Al Jazeera…